The disastrous, career-altering injuries to Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant signaled not just the potential end of the Warriors dynasty, but the kick-off of perhaps the most wide open NBA in a decade.
Between the Warriors potential demise and the uncertain destiny of the current champions (Is Kawhi Leonard really going to leave Toronto after leading them to a championship? Who knows?) means there is no prohibitive favorite going into the 2019-20 season; nearly half the league can credibly tell themselves “This is our year”.
The consequences of that openness are already being felt, first in the Lakers massive trade for Anthony Davis, and then with the Utah Jazz acquiring Mike Conley from the Memphis Grizzlies, forming a dynamic backcourt with Donovan Mitchell to partner with Rudy Gobert.